More people in Britain attend
mosques than the Church of England. It is for the first time that
Muslims have overtaken Anglicans. According to figures 930,000
Muslims attend a place of worship at least once a week, whereas only
916,000 Anglicans do the same. Muslim leaders are now claiming that,
given such a rise of Islam in Britain, Muslims should receive a
share of the privileged status of the Church of England.

A spokesman for
David Hope, the Archbishop of York, second in the church hierarchy,
said the archbishop had conceded defeat, but added: "He believes
that many more people have an affinity to the church than the number
recorded as having attended once on a Sunday." The figures were
compiled from government and academic resources.

According to the
2001 census, three-quarters of the British population regards itself
as Christian. Although there are no registers kept at mosques
regarding attendance, but the census had included a question about
religious adherence. Those figures have been further supported by
surveys to give the first assessment of worshipping Muslims.

Although the census
recorded 1.59 million Muslims but Ceri Peach, professor of social
geography at Oxford University said the census could not record the
correct balance because the question was voluntary. Academics
believe the figure to be at least 1.8 million.

Tariq Modood, a
professor of sociology at Bristol University has found that 62 per
cent of Muslims pray in places of worship. The figure, after
excluding young children, most of whom do not worship in mosques, is
about 930,000. The figure is said to underestimate the number of
practising Muslims. Many, it is said, pray at home.

Immigration from
Eastern Europe and conversions are believed to be adding to the
number of Muslims. Lord Ahmad Patel, a Labour peer said 10 extra
seats should be allocated to other religions. The Church of England
has 26 seats in the House of Lords. However, the recent figures do
not include Catholics. The Catholic church has 1.5 million British
worshippers